When it was suggested to me that we spend the day scrambling up the side of a wet Cumbrian fell, I wasn't exactly champing at the bit. Firstly there was the Lake District's reputation for 'eventful' weather; but it was more the prospect of clinging to the side of a cliff (hundreds of metres above the ground) that was putting me off.

Thankfully my preconceptions were put to one side within minutes of arriving at Honister slate mine when - surprise! - the sun came out. I'd come here to tackle the new Via Ferrata, or 'iron road', which leads straight up the side of Fleetwith Pike, near Keswick.

In reality, there's nothing road-like about it. A via ferrata is a system of metal footholds and ladders hammered into the rock that enable you to take the quickest route to the top of the mountain. They were invented by the Italian army during the First World War as a way of getting troops around the Dolomites as quickly and safely as possible. Many of these original routes are still used in the Alps by people who want the thrill of mountain climbing without too much faff (or scariness). Honister's Via Ferrata, installed last year, is the first in the UK.

The idea is that you attach yourself to a cable running the entire length of the route, so if you do lose your footing you're only ever going to fall a few feet before the harness catches you.

This was what I kept telling myself as we harnessed and helmeted up, and made our way out onto the trail with Simon, our guide. There were eight of us altogether, including my girlfriend, Maria - who promptly steamed off ahead without so much as a glance over her shoulder. As did the group of 10-year-olds who were here with their parents - proof of just how accessible this is.

Meanwhile, I was worried that I'd bitten off more than I could chew. Within minutes of leaving the car park we came across a walkway made from three iron girders bridging a large gap between two pieces of rock.

Three quick strides and you're over it, but for some reason I became fixated with the drop below. It was just two or three metres - the kind of thing you might see in a kids' adventure playground - but for someone who gets sweaty palms from standing on a stepladder to change a light bulb, this seemed like serious stuff.

With three pairs of pre-adolescent eyes judging me, however, I had no choice but to press on. Luckily, from here on up it was encouragingly easy.

Interesting, too. Back in the 19th century, this was the route that Honister's slate miners used to take to work every day - minus the safety cable.

At various points on the way up, Simon stopped to point out some of the leftovers that still litter the hillside: bits of cable and parts of the pulley system that used to haul railway trucks loaded with rock up and down the mountain each day.

'Children as young as six were employed to light dynamite in the tunnels,' he said, 'because they could run through them much quicker than a fully grown adult. They'd be up at first light and would spend about 12 hours a day working at the face. Many of the miners died in explosions, or were buried under rock falls inside the mine.'

Standing at the top on a peaceful sunny day, with Buttermere and Crummock Water stretching out before us and reflecting the lazy passage of white clouds, it was hard to imagine children slaving away in the 11 miles of tunnels deep within Fleetwith Pike - and the 13 more in Dale Head on the opposite side of the valley.

Honister's current owner, Mark Weir, knows every inch of them intimately. Having bought the mine as an abandoned shell in 1996, he spent the next few years single-handedly blasting slate from the same faces as his grandfather and uncle had before him, in a bid to get the place back on its feet. 'I was nearly bankrupted twice,' he says, reflecting on the countless nights he spent below ground in the empty depths.

Thankfully, however, it seems that Honister is emerging from the darkness once more. And with Mark's mum Celia running the cafe and visitors' centre, it's a genuine family affair.

10 more ways to get your pulse racing

River bugging, Perthshire

The latest water sport, river bugging, has hit Scotland. Sitting in something resembling a blow-up armchair, you bounce down rapids. Splash provides all instruction and equipment, with half-days from £45.

Vobster Quay, a lake near Frome in Somerset, is a great place to learn to dive. Various wrecks have been sunk for you to explore underwater. With diving in depths ranging from 6m-36m, even experienced divers will go back for more. It's open from Thursday to Monday and admission costs £15.

Zoom down Britain's two longest zip wires and experience the thrill of 'flying' 45m above 30m waterfalls at Go Ape in Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire. Go Ape also has 16 other courses around the country, including five new this year. Adults £25, kids 10-17 £20.

Stay cool on a hot day on the UK's widest real-snow indoor ski slope. Chill Factore has a nursery slope in addition to a 180m main slope. Xscape centres in Braehead near Glasgow, Castleford near Leeds and Milton Keynes also have indoor snow slopes and a range of other activities.

With mountainboards you can do all the same tricks as on a snowboard but on grass. Learn how to handle them at one of half a dozen Ride the Hill centres around the UK, including the XBP Centre in Redhill, Surrey. From £25 for four hours.

This is the snow-free equivalent of cross-country skiing: each 'ski' is about 60cm long and has a wheel at each end. The skiers use poles to push themselves along. Beginners can take a one-day course at Dorney Lake near Windsor, for £55. For other events at different locations, check out the website.

My favourite day out: Hardeep Singh Kohli, TV presenter

I love Hunstanton, in Norfolk. At one point on the beach you're surrounded by 270 degrees of water. The Norfolk food is incredible - not just the fine dining but simple things like the ham and eggs at the Ribs of Beef, a pub in Norwich.